Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

2003-04: Sustained a knee injury that limited his freshman NCAA season to 15 games.

2004-05: Potulny enjoyed a strong sophomore season Minnesota, tying for the team lead in and finishing third in overall points. He was a major factor in helping the Golden Gophers reach the NCAA Frozen Four where they ultimately fell to championship runner-up North Dakota. Most importantly, Potulny played in all 44 games, showing no ill effects of the knee injury from the year before. Potulny turned down a contract offer from the Flyers this summer, reasoning that he was not yet ready to turn pro and wanted one more season to round out his game.

2005-06: Potulny’s breakout season; lead the nation in goals (38) and finished in a first place time for points (63). Potulny was named on of ten finalists for the Hobey Baker Award and subsequently signed a pro contract with the Flyers foregoing his final year of college eligibility.

2006-07: Injuries plagued Potulny throughout his first full season at the professional level but he looked sharp and displayed plenty of promise, whenever (and wherever) he played in 2006-07. He started the year with the Phantoms, for whom he was an impact player from the start of the campaign, notching 24 points (12 goals, 12 assists) and 34 PIMs in 27 games for the AHL team. Potulny was equally impressive in 35 games with the Flyers, recording 12 points (seven goals, five assists) and 22 PIMs. Perhaps most importantly, he displayed diligence at both ends of the rink, backchecking with effectiveness and taking care of the puck in his own end. His plus-1 rating was actually the fifth-best total on the team.

2007-08: A re-loaded Flyers team provided little opportunity for Potulny and he he played just 7 NHL games. Scored 21 goals and 47 points in 58 AHL games with the Phantoms and added 8 more points in 12 playoff games. Was acquired by Edmonton in the off-season in exchange for Danny Syvret.

Talent Analysis

Potulny is a skilled offensive player with good hands, acceleration, and lateral movement. He demonstrates strong playmaking skills and an uncanny ability to score timely goals. In College, Potulny was easily one of Minnesota’s most dynamic players when healthy, and fans quickly began to expect big plays out of him. Also a very good face-off guy, Potulny looks to have all the skills needed to excel at any level. He is responsible at both ends of the rink, backchecking with effectiveness and taking care of the puck in his own end.

Future

He will be right in the mix to stick with the Oilers out of training camp but he is by no means a lock. He would need to pass through waivers to be sent down to the AHL which helps his cause. Could very well be this year’s version of Patrick Thoresen from an Edmonton perspective; an AHL/NHL ‘tweener’, but with more upside.